Extreme Sailing Series- Glenn Ashby looks to ahead to Act 2, Muscat

Glenn Ashby's CV is enviable. With 14 World Championship titles, across three multihull classes, as well as a silver medal in the Tornado class from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Ashby is a multihull expert.

In 2014, he returns to the Extreme Sailing Series as trimmer with the Kiwi Emirates Team New Zealand, after last competing in the circuit in 2011. He takes a look back at the opening Act of the season in Singapore, and eyes the upcoming Act in Muscat, Oman, which starts in just over one weeks time.

Act 1 Singapore was the first time you have competed in the Series since 2011 - what was it like to compete in this format again?

Singapore was a great re-introduction for the team and it proved once again that the Extreme 40 style of racing is really key for quick decision making and can be brutal and brilliant all in one leg. No race is over until the very end and it gives many opportunities to gain places when sailed well. The Singapore Act was the first time since the America's Cup last year that we we have raced as a team rather than an individuals.

How would you compare the standard of the 2014 fleet from when you competed in 2011?

The standard of competition this year is exceptional and, with so many good teams sailing and so many races to be sailed, whoever takes out the series will have earned their success . I would say that this year's field would easily equal and most likely better the competition we faced in 2011.

You narrowly missed out on the podium in Singapore, what will be the key for gaining great results in Muscat?

We narrowly missed the podium in Singapore with an average to poor last two races. However, as a whole, we felt that we sailed a mostly consistent event and were in touch with the top three positions from the start of the regatta. This was nice considering our three year absence from the Extreme 40 circuit.

Obviously the teams that have been putting the effort in pre-season are shining and sailing very well. This makes it a great challenge and the racing very tough which is exactly what we want - tough racing, be put in tough positions and have to work extremely hard around the track for good results. Consistency will be the key factor in success at Muscat.

What are your expectations of sailing in the Muscat stadium?The sailing last time we were in Muscat in 2011 was fantastic and we are really looking forward to getting back there for some great racing. Our expectations are high for a great result and make the podium.